Indiana still has $1.3 billion in coronavirus relief funds left to spend
The state of Indiana is still sitting on more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus aid with a little more than three months to spend the funds.
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2 dead of virus at Terre Haute federal prison
Two inmates have died in as many days from coronavirus at the federal prison complex ion Terre Haute where the U.S. government plans to carry out two executions next week.
‘Say her name’: Louisville to pay $12M to Breonna Taylor’s family
Months after the police killing of Breonna Taylor thrust her name to the forefront of a national reckoning on race and excessive use of force, the city of Louisville agreed to pay the Black woman’s family $12 million and reform police practices as part of a settlement announced Tuesday.
Web Exclusive: Domestic violence shelters see fewer calls, more severe cases in pandemic
The silence was deafening. Little to no calls were coming in to the Middle Way House’s domestic violence help and crisis line in the months after Indiana’s stay at home orders, leaving Debra Morrow in a panic. “It got deathly quiet, and to us, that was horrifying. We were worried about those who couldn’t reach out.”
Coming full circle: Weissmann joins COA after years of appellate practice
At 10 a.m. Monday, Leanna Weissmann transitioned from practitioner to judge. “What a star,” Chief Justice Loretta Rush said of Weissmann when her appointment was announced. “I will miss you standing before me arguing cases. … I always knew it would be a whale of an argument.”
Tightrope act: Judges balance social issues, impartiality
Scenes from protests have dominated television screens for months. People of all ages, sizes, races, genders and backgrounds have participated in events calling for an end to racial inequality. But how do judges fit into the mix?
In push for poll workers, lawyers are coveted recruits
Anticipating a shortage of poll workers on Election Day, the Indiana Supreme Court has joined the recruitment effort. Lawyers who serve on Nov. 3 will be able to claim up to one hour of continuing legal education credit for going through the training and report the time worked as pro bono hours.
Law change from ‘or’ to ‘and’ causes headaches for recorders
While politicians often decry bureaucracy and red tape, a bill passed by Indiana legislators in 2020 changed a single word in a state statute and, as a result, raised an extra hurdle for Hoosiers trying to get a document recorded at their local county recorder’s office.
Unprecedented August 2020 bar exam yields passage rates from the past
The overall passage rate for the Indiana August 2020 bar exam reached 74%, about 10 percentage points higher than the overall pass rate for the previous four July bar exams. Likewise, 84% of those taking the test for the first time passed while 53% of the repeat takers were successful, the highest rate for repeaters since 54% passed the February 2015 bar.
Jones: The curious case(s) of Carter Lake: Small town, big decisions
Few small cities or towns can claim to be the center or the impetus for a U.S. Supreme Court decision. However, Carter Lake, Iowa, with a population that has never eclipsed 4,000 people, can count no less than three.
Stafford: Holcomb’s calculation leads voters to risk health or liberty
Crises present tests of leadership, and Holcomb’s milquetoast excuses for not backing no-excuse mail-in voting during this time will haunt him and define him. This is easily his worst hour in a long political career.
Seeking unity: New ISBA President Michael Tolbert finds guidance for challenging times in service, family, faith
Michael Tolbert’s turn to lead the Indiana State Bar Association could not have come at a more challenging time. Having led multiple local bar groups, the Gary native takes the helm at the ISBA during a time of pandemic and persistent racial inequities that at times have put the law and lawyers on the defensive. Tolbert, though, is relentlessly optimistic.
Indiana Court decisions – Aug. 27-Sept. 9, 2020
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Plugged In: When it comes to data breaches, security starts with you
Although many of us prefer to believe that we are protected and that our IT department, antivirus and malware tools are keeping us safe from all account hacking threats, it is vital that we understand our role in keeping our own accounts safe.
ISBA offering in-person, virtual hybrid for annual meeting
The Indiana State Bar Assocation annual meeting will be a hybrid model allowing bar members to meet either virtually or in-person. Speakers will still offer CLE, sponsors will still share products and the House of Delegates will still meet. Perhaps most importantly, Hoosier lawyers will get the chance to reconnect after months of social distancing.
Maley: Rule amendments emphasize good faith in civil litigation
Each year any federal rule amendments that work their way through the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Supreme Court, and then Congress, take effect Dec. 1. This year several rule amendments are scheduled to take effect on that date, as outlined below.
IndyBar: September is IndyBar Member Appreciation Month!
It’s no secret that 2020 has been tough. While it’s our goal year round to make you, IndyBar members, more profitable and productive in your practice, we’re taking extra care during the month of September to show you how much we appreciate you!
IndyBar: Nominations Now Accepted for IndyBar Professionalism Awards
The IndyBar Professionalism Committee is currently soliciting nominations for the 2020 IndyBar Professionalism Award (attorney) and IndyBar Silver Gavel Award (judge). We’ll also present the Unsung Hero Award, given to a lawyer who goes above and beyond the call of duty and exhibits the highest level of commitment to others without the expectation of praise or recognition.
IndyBar: The Unique Relationship between Lawyers and Judges
As lawyers, many of our relationships are governed by our rules of professional conduct. For the most part, these rules place burdens, limits and duties on us. The judge-lawyer relationship, however, is governed by interlocking rules from both sides.
IndyBar Guest Column: Marion County Courts Push Forward as we Set Our Sights on the Future
As 2020 IndyBar President Andy Campbell is off in “trial prep nightmare-land,” he invited me to give an update on Marion Superior Court operations and the new Community Justice Center campus.